Handlebar mounted offroad navigation - Garmin? Wahoo? Phone?

[RicksAlfas]

I've just got a gravel bike and had a good time in the Peak District with it. I'm normally a walker and use the OS app on my phone which is no hassle when I'm walking. However on the bike it was a faff having to keep stopping, getting it out of my pocket etc. I started researching the various gadgets and the Garmin Edge Explore 2 seems to get good reviews for navigation. It's currently on offer from Garmin for £200. But then it seems an off road map (Topo Light) is another £20 and a full OS download is £350!

What do people tend to use for off road navigation? I'm not bothered about heart rates, Strava intervals, or inviting other cyclists to a dance. It's just the navigation functionality which interests me. Thanks!

[Mammasaid]

Are you Android or iOS? The respective smart watches do navigation with an associated phone. Android Wear (not sure about Apple), also does 3rd party apps like Komoot.

[ecs]

You can generate Garmin maps from Open Street Map data using BBBike, so there's no need to buy the paid for maps from them:

https://extract.bbbike.org/garmin.html

A dedicated computer like a Garmin has a much longer battery life and is a bit more robust than a phone so is generally the better option.

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks both. I have an iphone but not a smart watch.

I'll have a look into the BBB thing.

[RicksAlfas]

ecs said:

You can generate Garmin maps from Open Street Map data using BBBike, so there's no need to buy the paid for maps from them:

https://extract.bbbike.org/garmin.html

Does that mean I need to take a PC on holiday with me?
Do you know if I can do it via an iPad?

[Julian Scott]

I use a Wahoo with route mapping by Komoot for on and off-road. Never had an issue.

[DangerMonkey]

Wahoo but with ridewithgps. Works great.

[ecs]

RicksAlfas said:

ecs said:

You can generate Garmin maps from Open Street Map data using BBBike, so there's no need to buy the paid for maps from them:

https://extract.bbbike.org/garmin.html

Does that mean I need to take a PC on holiday with me?
Do you know if I can do it via an iPad?

It's web based, but I think you'd need to use a computer to transfer the files over. You can have multiple sets of maps loaded on one device though, so you could have your local map and whatever maps you need for your trip.

[Dracoro]

I use Wahoo (Roam 2 so has 2 gps or something ) and was on an off road ride which I plotted in OS maps and worked well.

As I subscribe to OS maps, I can generate a route, save the GPX to my iCloud drive (from mac or iPad or iPhone). Can do same/similar with other mapping s/w but if you already have OS maps app then you’ve already got that part in place.

Then in Files, share that file with Elemnt (the Wahoo app btw) and then sync to the Wahoo.

[Julian Scott]

ecs said:

RicksAlfas said:

ecs said:

You can generate Garmin maps from Open Street Map data using BBBike, so there's no need to buy the paid for maps from them:

https://extract.bbbike.org/garmin.html

Does that mean I need to take a PC on holiday with me?
Do you know if I can do it via an iPad?

It's web based, but I think you'd need to use a computer to transfer the files over. You can have multiple sets of maps loaded on one device though, so you could have your local map and whatever maps you need for your trip.

I'd avoid anything that needs anything other than a phone and a headunit to work/plot route/sync. Recipe for disaster.

Edited by Julian Scott on Friday 14th June 13:00

[RicksAlfas]

Dracoro said:

I use Wahoo (Roam 2 so has 2 gps or something ) and was on an off road ride which I plotted in OS maps and worked well.

As I subscribe to OS maps, I can generate a route, save the GPX to my iCloud drive (from mac or iPad or iPhone). Can do same/similar with other mapping s/w but if you already have OS maps app then you’ve already got that part in place.

Then in Files, share that file with Elemnt (the Wahoo app btw) and then sync to the Wahoo.

Thanks. This sounds good.
Can you export direct from your phone to the Wahoo? Does it need to go via iCloud?

[Dracoro]

RicksAlfas said:

Dracoro said:

I use Wahoo (Roam 2 so has 2 gps or something ) and was on an off road ride which I plotted in OS maps and worked well.

As I subscribe to OS maps, I can generate a route, save the GPX to my iCloud drive (from mac or iPad or iPhone). Can do same/similar with other mapping s/w but if you already have OS maps app then you’ve already got that part in place.

Then in Files, share that file with Elemnt (the Wahoo app btw) and then sync to the Wahoo.

Thanks. This sounds good.
Can you export direct from your phone to the Wahoo? Does it need to go via iCloud?

I think if you click download, it saves to your phone, so doesn’t have to go via iCloud (it;s just there where I save things).

When you export GPX you can save to local, or iCloud Drive etc. Alternatively if on another Apple device, just export and select Copy (assuming you have that enabled on your Apple devices) and then paste onto your phone files app. Then as above, share that with Elemnt.

[Julian Scott]

RicksAlfas said:

Dracoro said:

I use Wahoo (Roam 2 so has 2 gps or something ) and was on an off road ride which I plotted in OS maps and worked well.

As I subscribe to OS maps, I can generate a route, save the GPX to my iCloud drive (from mac or iPad or iPhone). Can do same/similar with other mapping s/w but if you already have OS maps app then you’ve already got that part in place.

Then in Files, share that file with Elemnt (the Wahoo app btw) and then sync to the Wahoo.

Thanks. This sounds good.
Can you export direct from your phone to the Wahoo? Does it need to go via iCloud?

Most apps will automatically sync with Wahoo (if you set them) - just save the route in Komoot/Strava/MapMyGPS/RideWithGPS/etc and it will appear automatically in your head unit routes.

[SamR380]

I use Wahoo and Komoot. Struggled for years being tight and trying to use my phone and various free map apps. Having a dedicated device is just so much better, the battery life is better, the screen is easy to read and it re-routes pretty well too.

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks everyone. I'm pricing up the Wahoos.

[troc]

Another wahoo and Komoot user here.

I also use Strava for routing but usually for running to sync to my Garmin watch.

For ‘proper’ off-roading, I use Trailforks

[Your Dad]

RicksAlfas said:

Thanks everyone. I'm pricing up the Wahoos.

Elemnt Roam v1 can be had for under £190 from several vendors, still supported and perfectly capable.

[Julian Scott]

Your Dad said:

RicksAlfas said:

Thanks everyone. I'm pricing up the Wahoos.

Elemnt Roam v1 can be had for under £190 from several vendors, still supported and perfectly capable.

I bought one to take to a friend in Greece - £179

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/wahoo/roam-v...

[MarcelM6]

Wahoo vs Garmin is a bit like Apple vs Android for phones. Nothing to really choose between them other than minor ergonomic differences and brand loyalty/system integration.

I use a dedicated head unit as I expect to fall off more often on gravel or mtb. And don't want to smash my phone up. A Garmin 530 which is very good, Komoot/Strava or Garmin Connect for mapping, send the course to the Garmin and go ride.

There are lots of places for maps, bit I have found that none are perfect for gravel, as they rely a lot on public data, eg Garmin occasionally thinks a footpath is a bridleway etc.

www.dcrainmaker.com is an excellent resource for on-bike technology

[OutInTheShed]

Komoot on a 2nd hand iphone in an aquapac.
Comedy cheap rubber mount to the bars.

Not perfect, but the phone was about £120, the aquapac thing about £10 and the mount about £6 IIRC.